10 best ever apple cake recipes
You're sure to find a favourite among our selection of stunning apple cake recipes. They're guaranteed crowd-pleasing bakes and so easy to make as well.
You can enjoy apple cakes all year round, but we love nothing more than a warm slice with a cup of something hot when the evenings start to draw in. For more dessert recipes perfect for when you feel a chill outside, check out our autumn dessert recipes, including rich sticky toffee pudding, spiced crumble recipes, and warm chocolate brownie recipes. Apple cakes are quintessentially an autumnal dessert, paired with nostalgic smells of cinnamon and nutmeg. If you want to enjoy some of this nostalgia with your family, why not try our best apple recipes for kids and get them involved in the cooking fun?
Apple cake flavour variations:
- Caramel and apple are a classic flavour match, for those with a sweet tooth.
- Seasonal fruits that go well with apples include blackberries, raspberries or pears. We have guides on apple & blackberry bakes and plum & apple puddings.
- Try adding a boozy hit to your cake by soaking your apple slices in rum or brandy.
- If you like, add a couple of tablespoons of cocoa powder or chocolate chips to your mixture.
For a classic accompaniment, make Gordon Ramsay's luscious caramel sauce or, if you have an abundant amount of apples, find inspiration on how to use them up in our collection of the best apple desserts, cooking apple recipes and baked apple recipes.
Traybakes
1. Dorset apple traybake
Simple to make and easily divided into neat slices, this classic apple traybake is perfect for a coffee morning or to serve at any casual gathering. A couple of Bramley apples are the secret ingredient. Expect this fluffy and moist delight to disappear as soon as it's out of the oven.
2. Caramelised apple cake with streusel topping
Soft cake with a crunchy streusel topping is so moreish and makes this caramelised apple cake a teatime winner. What also makes it addictive is the extra layer of caramel sweetness achieved by browning the apples in light brown sugar before baking. The streusel topping has toasted hazelnuts, a dash of cinnamon and brown sugar for flavour and texture.
3. Spiced toffee apple cake
This one is sugar, spice and everything nice! Our spiced toffee apple cake uses dates for sweetness and squidgy texture plus a toffee drizzle over pretty slices of red apple. A splash of dark rum in the sauce is naughty but nice, but you can leave that out if treating the kids. They'll love this twist on toffee apples – and it's something of a showstopper, perfect for Bonfire Night.
4. Apple pie bars
Sit back and enjoy one of our crumbly, moist apple pie bars – an easy to make treat to go with a cup of tea. Made using just eight simple ingredients, these apple pie bars are also budget-friendly. Apples are in season all year round, but are especially abundant in August and September.
Loaf cakes
5. Caramel apple loaf cake
We love a loaf cake, because they're simple and easy to customise. Greek yogurt helps to keep this cake extra moist and the toffee ganache will keep guests coming back for another slice. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts for an extra bit of crunch. Serve with custard on the side for a luxurious dessert on cold nights.
6. Apple crumble loaf
This rustic bake combines two favourites: apple crumble and apple cake. Our crumble loaf is full of raisins and spice, too, with a nutty topping to turn it into something a bit special. Ideal for bake sales, birthdays or a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Round cakes
7. Apple & blackberry cake
Everyone loves a fruity sponge with moist, tangy pearls of cooked berries. If you've foraged your own blackberries, make the most of them in this delightful apple & blackberry cake. Eat warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or enjoy a slice with friends at an informal afternoon tea. It's also a comforting end to Sunday dinner.
8. Apple & walnut cake
This apple & walnut cake is made from an all-in-one recipe, so you can have it on the table in just over an hour if you need something quick but impressive for an impromptu visit. The rich treacle icing is the final flourish, but if you prefer something a little lighter, try using golden syrup instead. Fruit and nut is a classic combination, and you'll keep coming back to this one.
9. Toffee apple cake
Looking for a challenge? This toffee apple cake marries classic autumnal flavours including ginger, apple and cinnamon into a showstopping bake. The miniature toffee apples are a fleeting but gorgeous decoration which mirrors the flavours of the bake. For a more rustic decoration, top with sprigs of rosemary and bay leaves.
10. Vegan apple cake
Fill your cake tin with this delectable vegan apple and almond cake – a crowd-pleasing bake that satisfies both dairy-free and vegan diets, as well as anyone who loves a delicious treat.
Try these classic cake collections...
Fruity cakes collection
Our best autumnal cake recipes
Which is your favourite autumnal cake recipe? Let us know in the comments below...
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